Fruits

1. Ormaisuri

   Banana

   Usage

   The word for banana at a market or eatery. The plural is "irmaisurin"

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; the prefix "ol-" becomes "or-" before "m". "olmaisuri" also occurs, but spoken use is overwhelmingly "ormaisuri"

2. Machungwa

   Orange

   Usage

   The word for the fruit orange

   Grammar Note

   "machungwa" came in from Swahili, where it is a plural form. A singular "ormachungwa" also occurs but is rare. Borrowed word; native review recommended

3. Ormananasi

   Pineapple

   Usage

   The word for pineapple

   Grammar Note

   The masculine prefix "or-" attached to the Swahili "mananasi". Borrowed word; native review recommended

4. Maembe

   Mango

   Usage

   The word for mango

   Grammar Note

   The Swahili plural "maembe" is used as is. The Maa-style plural form is "irmaembe". Borrowed word; native review recommended

5. Irmatunda

   Fruits

   Usage

   The general word for fruits, handy when looking for fruit at a market

   Grammar Note

   The Swahili "matunda" with the Maa plural prefix "ir-". A different word names a single fruit. Borrowed word; native review recommended

6. Kayieu nainyang'u ormaisuri

   I want to buy a banana

   Usage

   Tells a seller what you want to buy. Swap the banana for another fruit

   Grammar Note

   "Kayieu na-" + a subjunctive verb means "I want to ...". "nainyang'u" is the subjunctive of "buy". For several bananas use "irmaisurin". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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